Chapter 7
Applications of Bionanocomposite
Materials
Abstract The development of bionanocomposites reinforced with different
nanofillers such as organically modified layered silicates (OMLs), bamboo charcoals
(BCs) and halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) has drawn great attention by research and
industrial sectors owing to their unique material merits like excellent biodegradability, natural abundance, cost-effectiveness and ecofriendliness. This chapter
provides a brief review on the potential applications of typical bionanocomposites
in the fields of electronics, medical devices and material packaging, etc.
Keywords Bionanocomposites · Nanofillers · Electronics · Medical devices ·
Material packaging
7.1 Electronic and Sensor Applications
When biopolymers are reinforced with nanofillers, their resulting bionanocomposites not only enhance mechanical, thermal and barrier properties, but also possess
electromagnetic shielding, good electrical, optical and magnetic properties [1].
Such multi-functional properties of bionanocomposites benefit from an increasingly
high environmental concern of replacing conventional non-degradable composites
with bionanocomposites, particularly in manufacturing electric products with good
recyclability and renewability. Most current polarising films in LCD screens are
made of iodine-doped PVA. Novel electroactive shape-memory materials based
on PVA/multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWNT) nanocomposites possess higher
thermal and electrical properties [2]. On the other hand, transparent and flexible
bionanocomposites with the incorporation of nanocellulose are very useful in various
applications ranging from displays, organic light-emitting diode, solar cells and rollto-roll technology. Electronic deposition devices depend on the continuous deposition of various functional components to be used, among which metal wiring
and active gas barrier films are good representatives for roll-to-roll technology [3].
Whereas, the major drawback lies in a higher coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE)
of plastic materials [3], which can be overcome by reinforcing bacterial cellulose as
nanofillers resulting in the reduction in CTE. When such bionanocomposites are
produced, they can act as potential substrates used for the roll-to-roll fabrication [4].
© Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2021
M. Mousa and Y. Dong, Multiscaled PVA Bionanocomposite Films,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-8771-9_7
159
Applications of Bionanocomposite
Materials
Abstract The development of bionanocomposites reinforced with different
nanofillers such as organically modified layered silicates (OMLs), bamboo charcoals
(BCs) and halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) has drawn great attention by research and
industrial sectors owing to their unique material merits like excellent biodegradability, natural abundance, cost-effectiveness and ecofriendliness. This chapter
provides a brief review on the potential applications of typical bionanocomposites
in the fields of electronics, medical devices and material packaging, etc.
Keywords Bionanocomposites · Nanofillers · Electronics · Medical devices ·
Material packaging
7.1 Electronic and Sensor Applications
When biopolymers are reinforced with nanofillers, their resulting bionanocomposites not only enhance mechanical, thermal and barrier properties, but also possess
electromagnetic shielding, good electrical, optical and magnetic properties [1].
Such multi-functional properties of bionanocomposites benefit from an increasingly
high environmental concern of replacing conventional non-degradable composites
with bionanocomposites, particularly in manufacturing electric products with good
recyclability and renewability. Most current polarising films in LCD screens are
made of iodine-doped PVA. Novel electroactive shape-memory materials based
on PVA/multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWNT) nanocomposites possess higher
thermal and electrical properties [2]. On the other hand, transparent and flexible
bionanocomposites with the incorporation of nanocellulose are very useful in various
applications ranging from displays, organic light-emitting diode, solar cells and rollto-roll technology. Electronic deposition devices depend on the continuous deposition of various functional components to be used, among which metal wiring
and active gas barrier films are good representatives for roll-to-roll technology [3].
Whereas, the major drawback lies in a higher coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE)
of plastic materials [3], which can be overcome by reinforcing bacterial cellulose as
nanofillers resulting in the reduction in CTE. When such bionanocomposites are
produced, they can act as potential substrates used for the roll-to-roll fabrication [4].
© Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2021
M. Mousa and Y. Dong, Multiscaled PVA Bionanocomposite Films,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-8771-9_7
159